Morecambe 0-0 Burton Albion

6 October 2012

npower League 2 action from the Globe Arena

A goalless draw with the Shrimps is something of a rarity for the Brewers but in a match high in endeavour but low on quality the Brewers had to settle for a point from their second away trip of the week.

Brewers boss Gary Rowett made just the one change to the side that ground out a vital 1-0 victory away at Southend United in Tuesday evening. Billy Kee dropped to the bench as Justin Richards earned himself a return to the starting line up for the first time since August 25th. The Brewers were looking to make it seven games unbeaten in the league but were in for a tough test against a Shrimps side who picked up their first home win since March in midweek.

Morecambe made the brighter start winning an early corner that was dealt with by the Brewers defence but as early as the fourth minute Matt Paterson found himself in the book for a challenge on Nick Fenton that the Morecambe man seemed to make the most of.

The home side continued to press and Albion had Tomlinson to thank in the 8th minute as lively wide man Andy Fleming got the better of Rob Kiernan but could not steer the ball bast Albion's keeper as he raced out to block.

It was one way traffic at this stage and defender Nick Fenton headed just wide from Lewis Alessandra's corner as the pressure continued.

Albion finally broke free of their defensive shackles on the quarter of an hour mark as Paterson latched onto Justin Richards header but when he worked room for the cross he could only find the waiting arms of Andreas Arestidou in the Morecambe goal.

things began to improve and when Maghoma got the chance to run at the home defence things opened up nicely for him as he cut inside in the 18th minute but his final shot was wide of the post.

The winger then burst into life again shortly afterwards driving to the bye line before pulling back a cross that was just behind Justin Richards although the ball found its way nicely to Lee Bell who drilled a low shot wide with the help of a deflection.

Burton continued to look more composed and when Robbie Weir was brought down by Stewart Drummond it offered Maghoma another chance from a free kick a la Tuesday night but this time his shot was somehow fumbled around the post by Arestidou.

Damien McCrory then found space to whip in a teasing left wing cross but Richards could not get enough on it to make a chance for himself.

Morecambe soaked up Albion's pressure responded by winning two corners in a row just before the break as mcDonald forced McCrory to concede a corner quickly followed by Andy Fleming's shot getting deflected behind.

Albion survived a flurry of late pressure from the home side as they won a trio of late corners but the half ended goalless with the hope for better fare in the second period.

Half time: Morecambe 0-0 Burton Albion

Albion won an early corner at the start of the second half but Lee Bell's cross was put back in by Rooney at the far post and the keeper was able to claim easily.

Defensive hesitation at the other end almost led to Morecambe's first on target effort but after being forced wide Richard Brodie could only fire into the side netting.

The home side continued to press and amid a scramble on the edge of Albion's box Nick Fenton drilled in a low shot that Zander Diamond did well to block and avert danger.

Morecambe really should have had the lead in the 55th minute as a superb left wing cross found Chris McCready at the back post and his downward header was somehow poked wide by Brodie.

Maghoma then skewed the ball well off the target when he managed to find space in the Morecambe box and in an attempt to liven things up Albion sent on adi Yussuf just before the hour mark.

The former Leicester youngster soon found himself in the book as he went for an aerial challenge with Will Haining and caught the Morecambe skipper with his arm, referee Atwell deciding there was no intent.

The home defender looked decidely groggy as he left the pitch and he had to be replaced by Izak Reid.

Jack Dyer was introduced for Luke Rooney and immediately after maghoma fired a free kick straight into the arms of Arestidou.

Robbie Weir then picked up another yellow card, for bringing down Andrew Wright and his fifth card of the season means him missing the next game.

Albion made their final substitution with eighteen minutes to play with Nathan Stanton brought on for Anthony O'Connor.

Morecambe looked the more composed side and began to pass it around neatly and Lewis Alessandra was not far wide with a shot from the edge of the box with ten minutes to play.

The lively forward was closer on 86 minutes as he finally broke clear of Albion's defence but as he was eventually chased down he chipped over Tomlinson but also just over the crossbar to the relief of the Brewers defence.

Robbie Weir then chanced his luck with a speculative shot from distance but it failed to trouble Arestidou as it flew wide.